General Assembly |
File No. 75 |
February Session, 2012 |
Senate, March 22, 2012
The Committee on Government Administration and Elections reported through SEN. SLOSSBERG of the 14th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING PERMANENT ABSENTEE BALLOT STATUS FOR THE PERMANENTLY DISABLED.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 9-140e of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2013):
(a) Any elector who is permanently physically disabled and who files an application for an absentee ballot with a certification from a primary care provider, indicating that such elector is permanently physically disabled and unable to appear in person at such elector's designated polling location, shall be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status and shall receive [an application for] an absentee ballot for each election, primary or referendum conducted in such elector's municipality for which such elector is eligible to vote. Such elector's permanent absentee ballot status shall remain in effect until such elector: (1) Is removed from the official registry list of the municipality, (2) is removed from permanent absentee ballot status pursuant to the provisions of this section, or (3) requests that he or she no longer receive such permanent absentee ballot status.
(b) The registrars of voters shall send written notice to each such elector with permanent absentee ballot status in January of each year, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, for the purpose of determining if such elector continues to reside at the address indicated on the elector's permanent absentee ballot application. If (1) such written notice is [not returned within thirty days or is] returned as undeliverable, or (2) not later than thirty days after such notice is sent to the elector, the elector fails to return such notice to the registrars of voters, as directed on the form, the elector in question shall be removed from permanent absentee ballot status. If such elector indicates on such notice that the elector no longer resides at such address and the elector's new address is within the same municipality, the registrars of voters shall change the elector's address pursuant to section 9-35 and such elector shall retain permanent absentee ballot status. If the elector indicates on such notice that the elector no longer resides in the municipality, the registrars of voters shall remove such individual from the registry list of the municipality and send such individual an application for voter registration. Failure to return such written notice shall not result in the removal of an elector from the official registry list of the municipality.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
January 1, 2013 |
9-140e |
GAE |
Joint Favorable |
The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst's professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note
Explanation
The bill, which allows permanently disabled absentee voters to automatically receive an absentee ballot, rather than an application for one, has no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.
The Out Years
OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING PERMANENT ABSENTEE BALLOT STATUS FOR THE PERMANENTLY DISABLED.
Under this bill, electors who have permanent absentee ballot status automatically receive an absentee ballot, rather than a ballot application, for each election, primary, and referendum in the municipality in which they are eligible to vote.
The law requires registrars of voters to send an annual notice in January to determine whether such electors (1) continue to reside at the address on their application and (2) may remain on the permanent absentee ballot status list. If a notice is not returned within 30 days or returned as undeliverable, the registrars must remove the elector from the list.
The bill specifies that the elector with permanent absentee ballot status must return the notice according to the instructions on the form.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2013
BACKGROUND
Permanent Absentee Ballot Status
By law, electors with permanent disabilities may apply to the registrars of voters for permanent absentee ballot status. To be eligible, an elector must file an application together with a doctor's certificate stating that he or she has a permanent disability and cannot appear in person at their polling place.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea |
15 |
Nay |
0 |
(03/12/2012) |